Has anyone watched The Vikings? I tried recording the series on my PVR, but only got a few episodes (I think I screwed up the setting when I programmed something else later). Anyway, watched the first few episodes, and now that I have the 1st season DVD (yes, a 2nd season is in the making), I plan on watching the whole season. From what I saw of the first few episodes, it was quite good even if not 100% accurate. It is great TV.

Managed to get caught up on all the past season's episodes yesterday, and watched the new one's premiere last night...

Spoilers: O-kay

It broke my heart to see that Lagerta had lost the baby, and then little Gyda dies from what looked like a prehistoric version of 1918's influenza at the end of last season. And I am really, really ticked off at Ragnar for takin' up with that walkin'-talkin' mannequin Aslaug (Brynhildr and Sigunds's daughter - yeah, right.)

In this season's first episode, I don't blame Lagerta for packing up and leaving, but I don't want her to go. She's my favorite character, just a tad above Athelstan. His inner-faith struggles have really been a joy to to watch; just how do you keep to your core beliefs (Christian, monotheistic) when you've been scooped up and placed in a society where you're the only one with them? Especially when so much of Viking religious and social values really aren't all that far from your average 5th century Anglo-Saxon. I'm looking forward to his continued growth.

Thank Odin, Rollo finally got to go against Ragnar big time and get it off his chest - bad idea, bad bad idea. Now that he's been given a second chance, let's see what he does with it. But above all, I want Lagertha back, and I want her now!

'By Elbereth and Luthien the Fair, you shall have neither the Ring nor me! Engage!'Avatar courtesy of Candy Kane, Webmistress Extraordinaire and Slayer of Trolls

I stumbled onto it late last year and saw the final two episodes; it's on our TimeWarner History Channel

Because of the Thor movies - and the Hiddleston's Loki - I've gotten all caught up in Norse mythology, which is very nice because worship of the gods is deeply ingrained in these peoples lives. Knowing the names ahead of time helps, even though the spelling varies, as well as Athelstan's questions - I got a full explanation of Ragnarök !

'By Elbereth and Luthien the Fair, you shall have neither the Ring nor me! Engage!'Avatar courtesy of Candy Kane, Webmistress Extraordinaire and Slayer of Trolls

"Gyda, I have come to say goodbye to you, properly. I’ve been thinking about you, about when you were small. You were so lively you could run as swiftly as the wind. You were like a quick-silver. But then, before I knew it, you stopped running here and there and everywhere, and you became still. At 12 years old you had the stillness and the calm of a fine woman. What children you would have produced! What joy that would have brought to all of us!

Dear child, Gyda, you are not gone because you are always in my heart. They say that a man must love his sons more, but a man can be jealous of his sons and his daughter can always be the light in his life.

I know very well that you are with the Gods. But I will wait here, a while, and if you wanna come and talk to me, then come and talk., and I will gently stroke your long and beautiful hair once again with my peasant hands.”

Just one of the many reasons why I am loving this show...

'By Elbereth and Luthien the Fair, you shall have neither the Ring nor me! Engage!'Avatar courtesy of Candy Kane, Webmistress Extraordinaire and Slayer of Trolls